Bible Commentaries
2 Timothy 3

Verses 1-17

A TEACHER OF TEACHERS

The instruction may be divided into three parts.

1. He is instructed concerning his duty as a teacher of teachers (2 Timothy 2:2 ), but in that connection is again exhorted to firmness, or rather to strength and “hardness,” which are practically the same (2 Timothy 2:1 and 2 Timothy 2:3 ). What figure of speech does Paul use to illuminate his theme? What particular lesson would be drawn from it (2 Timothy 2:4 )? What second figure does he use at 2 Timothy 2:5 ? Here is a reference to the Olympian games. How must a man contend in order to win the crown? What third figure is used at 2 Timothy 2:6 ? What reward does the faithful husbandman receive?

It is easy to see from these illustrations the direction in which this young minister required encouragement and warning. He must separate himself from the world, strive faithfully and obediently, and work diligently to receive the blessing. Related to this, what fact was he to keep in mind (2 Timothy 2:8 )? Note how Paul once more digresses to his own example. He was not laying upon Timothy any burden he did not himself bear. Indeed, on behalf of the Gospel, he suffered “hardship” (for so the word “trouble” should be translated in 2 Timothy 2:9 ). He also endured (2 Timothy 2:10 ). For whose sake was it done? And why? Speaking of the “eternal glory” the elect were going to obtain, was it an assured experience for them (2 Timothy 2:11-13 )?

2. Again, in this instruction to Timothy as a teacher of teachers, he is directed to caution them about idle and foolish words (2 Timothy 2:14 ). But no sooner is this dictum laid down than he is once more exhorted as in the other case, to be the kind of teacher he would have others be. To what is he exhorted in 2 Timothy 2:15 ? What do you suppose that expression means, “Rightly dividing the word of truth?” In reply, note the three classes of peoples into which Paul divides mankind in 1 Corinthians 10:32 . Do you not think that “rightly dividing the word of truth” must mean giving to each of these their “portion of meat in due season”? But how can this be done where one is ignorant of the dispensational teaching of the Bible, which we are trying to emphasize in this Commentary? What is to be avoided in this teaching (verse 19)? To what physical disease is that kind of foolish teaching likened in the next verse? How careful we need to be not to allow out study of dispensational truth to become fanatical gangrene! How much we need the wisdom from above, the balance of mind and heart which the Holy Spirit alone can supply!

But we need not pursue our inquiries into this chapter further. The same mingled exhortation, instruction and warning continue throughout, and can be brought out by the student through questioning and patient waiting for the answer to suggest itself as above.

3. Proceeding to chapter three, Timothy receives instruction concerning the last times, i.e., the times at the end of the present age. What kind of times does the Spirit of God, say they will be (2 Timothy 3:1 )? The word “perilous” is in the Revised Version “grievous.” What shall constitute their grievous character (2 Timothy 3:2-5 )? What class of persons are designated as influenced by these things, and why (2 Timothy 3:6-7 )? How does the apostle seek to strengthen Timothy against these things by his own example (2 Timothy 3:10-13 )? And what exhortation does he now receive (2 Timothy 3:14-16 )? What tribute to the Holy Scriptures is in 2 Timothy 3:15 ? And how is their authority and infallibility affirmed in the following verse? The Revised Version renders this verse a little differently, but this is one of the places where the king James translation is to be preferred not only as the stronger, but also the more scholarly of the two. To what “charge” to Timothy does this illusion to the Holy Scriptures lead (4:1-2)? What consideration adds solemnity to that charge (2 Timothy 4:1 )? What consideration make that charge to be necessary (2 Timothy 4:3-4 )? What office is Timothy to exercise in addition to that of an overseer and teacher in order to “make full proof” or fulfill his ministry (2 Timothy 4:5 )? What consideration personal to Paul, adds solemnity to this exhortation (2 Timothy 4:6-8 )?

QUESTIONS

1. How many of the questions in the text of the lesson have you answered?

2. How often does Paul allude to his own example?

3. Can you quote 1 Corinthians 10:32 ?

4. Can you quote 2 Timothy 3:16 ?

5. What was Timothy to be besides an evangelist?